LZ windsock

by Phil Givens

Here’s what I’ve learned:

If the LZ is not flat, it is optimal to place the windsock on the highest portion of the field.  After choosing a very open, clear place to locate the wind indicator, we try to continually mow the hay/grass to a rather short height and then place an approximate three-foot piece of heavy weed-barrier on the mowed area.  This inhibits grass/weeds from growing up around the wind indicator’s base (tire and pole).

Then obtain an old tire, the bigger the better.  After painting it white or fluorescent orange, etc., placed atop of the black weed-barrier. Double-folding the weed-barrier makes it more effective, and tucking loose corners under the tire makes a tidy appearance.

In the center of the tire, drive a center-stake (a 3 or 4-foot, ¾-inch concrete form stake) into the ground making sure that the stake is in the ground far enough to hold the wind sock pole during excessive wind speeds. 

The windsock should then be attached to the 10 foot ¾-inch diameter piece of conduit with a coupling, which should be snuggly fastened to the conduit.  Next place your 5 or 6 foot piece of 1 ½-inch diameter white PVC pipe over the conduit.

The conduit, with the PVC pipe around the conduit, is then inserted over the concrete form stake.

This simple-yet-effective base and mount is rather easy to fabricate, and it invalidates the need for guy-wires or concrete-filed holes, and it eliminates affixing poles to fences and such.

Through landing experience, we have noticed that locating and reading windsocks becomes problematic when we are higher than 500 feet. Initially we put the piece of PVC pipe around the conduit to make visualization better as well as to provide a little more support to the structure.  Although this helped somewhat, it was still at times difficult to read the windsock.  Thus, we discovered that the old tire (around the pole) be painted a bright, obvious color (yet different from the sock’s color) helps greatly. 

Some of the wind indicators have survey-tape telltales tied onto the conduit just above the PVC pipe, but below the level of the windsock, to provide wind direction information at low wind speeds.

Though ideal wind indicators may be larger and be on taller poles, we enjoy that ours can be quickly removed or relocated. Other than attaching our windsock to a coupling and conduit, the whole system can be put installed in just a few minutes. The system is pasture-animal friendly, and if a farmer needs to quickly remove it in your absence, it’s relatively easy to do so.

Replacement windsocks:  When a windsock wears out, it is not necessary to replace the entire windsock with the hardware. Just replace the cloth portion (8NG - 08" D X 40" L - Replacement Windsock), which can be purchased at a significantly decreased cost (about $20).

MATERIALS LIST (with approximate costs):

• One windsock. I have been using the 8 x 40-inch sock from Wintec www.bestwindsocks.com, $40 plus shipping.  I specifically like:  8P - 08" D X 40" L - Complete Windsock w/ PVC Bearing Assembly
  
  
• One 3 or 4-foot concrete form stake, which has a ¾-inch in outside diameter. $6 to $8 depending on the length you buy.
  
  
• One 10-foot 3/4" (inside diameter) standard electrical conduit (the metal stuff), about $6.  When purchasing the conduit, make sure that it will fit over the concrete form stake. 
  
  
• One ¾-inch conduit coupler. These are designed to join to sections of conduit and have to attachment screws that allows for easy attachment of to the conduit and the windsock bearing assembly.
  
  
• One 5 or 6-foot length of PVC (white plastic stuff) 1 1/2" (inside diameter) pipe. $6 at Lowe’s.
  
  
• One old tire painted white.  Can be a new tire if you are trying to impress everyone.
  
  
• One section of weed-barrier or heavy, black plastic. Before you go buy a roll of weed-barrier, ask your neighbor gardener for a leftover roll, or dumpster-dive at a construction site. You might just score on the conduit and PVC pipe as well.
  
  

If you have any questions, email me here.